“Yes, (there are) some initiatives to bring our friends from the Tartan Army in to come and experience the Games, because they had such a good time in Boston (at the FIFA World Cup).

“That doesn’t take away from the fact that there’s still time for people to discover the Commonwealth Games for the first time, particularly when so many young people weren’t alive the last time the Commonwealth Games happened here in Glasgow.

“For me the opportunity is to get as many young spectators who didn’t get the opportunity to see the Games in 2014 to see it here in Glasgow in their home city in 2026.”

Batty (pictured) was speaking alongside Katie Sadleir, CEO of Commonwealth Sport, and Dr Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport.

One of the highlights of the Games will be the reintroduction of the Commonwealth Mile in which Scotland’s Josh Kerr, the world record holder, will compete.

Sadleir revealed the race's return came about following a conversation with World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe at the Birmingham 2022 Games.

“I’m really excited to see it,” she said. “It was a joint collaborative decision and started with Seb Coe in a room in Birmingham, saying ‘Hey, do you think this’ll make a difference if we can add this back in?’.”

Dr Rukare expressed his gratitude to Glasgow for stepping in as Games hosts, after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew.

“Glasgow is a bridge to the future of the Commonwealth Games in terms of redefining what we call a sustainable, smart Games, looking to the next 100 years - for Glasgow over the next 11 days, for Malta (hosting the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2027) and Ahmedabad later for the 2030 Games.  

“I look forward to 11 days of absolutely brilliant sport.”

In response to a question about high-profile absentees from the Games, including Olympic champions Keely Hodgkinson (ENG) and Summer McIntosh (CAN), Batty expressed a desire to focus on the quality of talent competing in Glasgow, while also looking at athletes for whom the event will be a springboard to future success.

“It’s really important to make sure we have those athletes that are at the pinnacle of their career and you can see that across the sporting programme," he said.

“It’s equally exciting to see – just like what happened in 2014 – (for) which athletes this starts their breakthrough moment.

“The conversation we should have around the athletes competing at these Games should take place on 2 August (after the event is finished) when we’ve redefined the sporting landscape with all of those incredible endeavours that have happened on the field of play.”

Britain's freshly appointed Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, will take his place at the Opening Ceremony in one of his first engagements in his new role.